Worm Farms for Dummies

The value of worms. They tend to be slimy, slithery things, but worms, and where they are cultivated--worm farms--play a crucial role in the ecological environment. Worms conveniently live and thrive under the soil they fertilize. A soil enriched by their presence tends to be good soil for farming, which farmers have known for so long. Apart from helping produce better crops simply by living in the soil, worms also balance our ecological space and help preserve our environment.

The concrete and specific benefits of worms are diverse. Fishermen makes use of worms are their fish-lures. Gardeners need worms for enriching their gardens. In some areas of the world, worms are part of the menu of edible produce. These are but a fraction of the many uses of worms, so it makes sense that people invest in building and taking care of worms in well-designed worm farms.

Worm farms are often constructed and maintained to make decaying and fertilized (food for farming) soil. Although this can be done in small scale in any backyard, the optimal set up (one that can be maintained for optimal produce) is the countryside. There, entire areas like barns are allotted to setting up worm farms that produce worms all year long. Think of livestock that doesn't care much and is not affected by the weather, because they live under soil, and you have a good idea how neat it is to raise worms in a good worm farm.

Worm farms are simply plots of soil where worms are allowed to increase their numbers. So, setting up a worm farm, as has been mentioned, not merely becomes a source of income for some people (not all worm farmers are actually farmers), but also helps preserve nature's delicate balance.

Building a worm farm. If you fish a lot or are a gardening enthusiast, it would make sense to cultivate your own worm farm. That way not only will you always have a source of good worms (because you are aware of the conditions that you raised them), but you can even supply other people and earn in the process. Here's how to set one up.

Get the right kind of worms. You can't just get any worm and throw them on dirt. That won't do. You want Red worms or Tiger worms as the usual easy-to-find worms won't do. Visit plant nurseries near your area, they'll probably have the worms you need.

Plan the worm farm well. You need some materials you can use to segregate your worms. If you don't think you need a large worm farm, just use some waterproof large jugs. Otherwise, you can use plastic bins, wood, and even crates. Just make sure you don't get materials that have been exposed to pesticides. So if you get materials from livestock-producing farms, you'd better be careful. So you might as well get stuff from your house or garage.

Putting the farm together. Use just enough soil for the quantity of worms you've acquired. The top bin must be lined up with old newspapers you shredded and then lined with soil once more. Add the worms and put there some scraps of food. The upper bin must be moist and kept away from bright lights. Now let the worms be for about 2 weeks to allow them to settle in. Then come back and add more scraps of food. Don't overfeed your worms. Worms love cool and dark areas, you take off the cover to your worm farm only when feeding them and when pouring fresh water into the soil.

Avoid onions and citrus fruits as scraps. Stick to these tips and your worm farm will be thriving in no time.